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Morristown council tables food‑truck ordinance after trustees say heavy use is damaging the Green
Summary
Trustees of the Morristown Green urged the council to delay changes to the town's food‑truck licensing and hours after saying large trucks have caused persistent trash, noise and access problems. Council members voted to table Ordinance O‑28‑2024 and form a subcommittee to work with trustees and vendors.
The Morristown Town Council on Nov. 12 voted to table an ordinance that would change the town's class‑2 itinerant restaurant (food‑truck) licenses after multiple trustees of the Morristown Green told the council that large food trucks have overwhelmed the public square.
Anne Babineau, counsel to the trustees, told the council she and the trustees had asked for additional time to finish negotiations with a developer and urged the governing body not to proceed tonight with a redeveloper designation that would assign property rights before voluntary agreements were finalized. "Condemnation is not necessary here with a willing buyer," Babineau said, and she asked the council to forbear so voluntary acquisition could be pursued.
Several trustees described the practical problems they say have followed from larger, late‑night food‑truck operations. Rick Serotta, a trustee, said trucks are bringing "generators, creating loud noises and gases" and leaving overflowing garbage that the trustees must remove. "This isn't a statement…we just have to be in the appropriate place," Serotta said, urging the council to address location and enforcement rather than simply change ordinance language.
Council members agreed there were factual issues to resolve. Council President Umbriak and others described a prior compromise that reduced proposed hours from 1 a.m. to 9 p.m., but trustees said trucks are sometimes staying later. Council discussion focused on enforcement, insurance and the appropriate role of trustees in monitoring activity on their property. Councilman Iannacon proposed forming a subcommittee to meet with trustees, licensees and town administration; the membership discussed included Pastor Silver, Councilman Chris Russo and the council member who proposed the committee.
After the discussion, the council moved, seconded and voted to table Ordinance O‑28‑2024 for further study and stakeholder meetings. The vote was recorded as a motion to table the ordinance so that administration, trustees and licensees can meet and return with recommendations.
The council's action leaves the existing ordinance in place while the subcommittee and staff address enforcement, vendor responsibilities and whether changes to the number, hours or licensing conditions for food trucks are appropriate.
